Determining conditions of personal protection articles against at least one criterion

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is particularly adapted for determining whether the condition of personal protection equipment PPE articles satisfies at least one criterion. A method and system provide at least one predetermined criterion that governs use of the PPE article in a working environment; a PPE article is configured with a smart tag, and a sensing device is provided that is configured to sense data in a working environment related to the predetermined criterion. Acquired data from the sensing device and the smart tag are processed in a data processing system to determine whether the condition of the PPE article satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/905,774, filed Feb. 26, 2018, now pending, which is a continuation ofSer. No. 12/671930, filed Feb. 3, 2010, now granted as U.S. Pat. No.9,901,125, which is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofPCT/US2008/074205, filed Aug. 25, 2008, which claims the benefit ofProvisional Application No. 61/124830, filed Aug. 31, 2007, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference in their entiretyherein.

BACKGROUND

Generally, this disclosure relates to determining a condition ofpersonal protection (PP) articles. More particularly, it relates tomethods and systems for determining a condition of a personal protectionequipment (PPE) article, wherein the method and system determine whetherthe condition of the PPE article satisfies at least one criterion.

Maintaining the safety and health of workers is a major concern acrossmany industries. Various rules and regulations have been developed toaid in addressing this concern, which provide sets of requirements toensure proper administration of personnel health and safety procedures.To help in maintaining worker safety and health, some individuals may berequired to don, wear, carry, or otherwise use a PPE article, if theindividuals enter or remain in work environments that have hazardous orpotentially hazardous conditions. Known types of PPE articles include,without limitation, respiratory protection equipment (RPE), e.g., fornormal condition use or emergency response, protective eyewear, such asvisors, goggles, filters or shields, protective headwear, such as hardhats, hoods or helmets, hearing protection, protective shoes, protectivegloves, other protective clothing, such as coveralls and aprons,protective articles, such as sensors, safety tools, detectors, globalpositioning devices, mining cap lamps and any other suitable gear.

For example, personnel in the nuclear industry may be required to wearradiation protective clothing and personal dosimeter devices. Lawenforcement personnel are sometimes required to wear protective vestsand helmets. There are numerous situations in the medical field in whichhealthcare workers must wear protective gowns, masks, face shields,gloves, etc. Workers in the food service industry are often required towear hair netting, gloves, masks, etc. For example, there are also manyindustrial manufacturing scenarios in which personnel are required towear protective or other specially designed articles in order to ensurea “clean” environment. For example, personnel in the micro-electronicsmanufacturing industry, biotech industry, laboratory/testing industry,are required to wear PPE articles not only to ensure their own safety,but to protect the equipment and devices which they assemble or performvarious procedures with. There are also many industrial manufacturingscenarios in which personnel working in mines, oil refineries, metalgrinding facilities, smelting facilities, industrial painting operationsor pharmaceutical factories may be required to wear respiratoryprotection equipment (RPE).

There are many different kinds of RPE's utilized to prevent or reduceinhalations of contaminants, such as hazardous or toxic materials. TheRPE's remove specific air contaminants by passing air through theirair-purifying element. Proper use of such RPE's is contingent upon theircondition and use being in accordance with appropriate sets of rules,guidelines, regulations, certifications, or the like that govern use ina working environment. The rules, guidelines, regulations,certifications may be numerous and may be promulgated from many sources,including business and/or governmental sources. Many traditional RPE'stypically do not, for example, include: any mechanism indicating whentheir ability to remove air contaminants has been reduced, if theworkplace in which they are to be used contains contaminants they cannothandle; or if actual use of an RPE is outside recommended or requiredexposure times in a workplace. As such, determining if RPE'S areproperly functioning and/or if their performances are in accordance withrecommended or required rules can be quite demanding and at times quiteonerous.

Moreover, facilities in which workers use PPE articles are oftenrequired to keep detailed records regarding the articles and theprocessing of them. For example, records may be kept regarding theiruse, conditions in which they were used, individuals who used them. Inaddition, records are kept as to when and whether PPE articles are to beserviced, changed-out, subject to maintenance, decontaminated orotherwise processed. As such, significant efforts and extensiverecordkeeping must be undertaken. Clearly, making and keeping extensiverecords that contain all of the above-referenced information present asubstantial administrative task. With more than 500,000 air contaminantsthat may be present in certain work environments, there are numerousrules and regulations to follow and gather information about.Accordingly, companies using such PPE articles have the responsibilityto record their compliance with the appropriate rules and regulations.If not, potentially serious and/or costly consequences may rise.

Moreover, despite the extensive records that are required to becollected, adherence to various predetermined criteria is typically theresponsibility of the user. Thus, compliance with a particular criterionregarding the condition of a PPE article may become an issue in workenvironments involving relatively large numbers of workers and/orrespirators because of the relative difficulty in tracking worker habitsand diligence, in part, due to the wearer not having means of assessingthe level of hazards in his/her environment. Clearly, when predeterminedcriteria are not adhered to, workers are at a higher risk of exposureupon breakthrough of hazardous materials.

Furthermore, the predetermined criteria regarding proper and safe use ofPPE articles are often predicated upon assumed work environmentconditions prevailing during actual use, such as the kinds andconcentrations of particulate in the workplace. Such assumptions alsoapply to other factors, such as the absence of other contaminants thatmight adversely affect proper RPE use. Also, such sets of criteria arepredicated upon assumptions that the RPE articles will perform asintended. However, potentially serious and/or costly consequences mayrise if the noted assumptions change which lead to violations of suchrules and regulations. Moreover, it would be of substantial value todetermine at which location(s) the assumptions have changed, therebyallowing corrections to be made to the environment or the articles.

Thus, needs exist for electronic methods and systems that overcome oreliminate the drawbacks and shortcomings of known approaches fordetermining the conditions of PPE articles against at least onecriterion governing their use. Accordingly, there is need for electronicmethods and systems that enable the conditions of PPE articles, such asRPE articles, to be determined against at least one criterion thatgoverns their use, let alone in a manner that is highly reliable,efficient, and economical.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a methodfor determining a condition of at least one protection equipment PPEarticle against at least one criterion. Included in the method are:providing at least one PPE article configured with a smart tag;providing at least one predetermined criterion that governs use of theat least one PPE article in a working environment; providing at leastone sensing device configured to sense data that is related to the atleast one predetermined criterion; acquiring sensed data from the atleast one sensing device; retrieving smart tag data from the smart tag;and, processing the sensed data and the smart tag data to determinewhether the condition of the at least one PPE article satisfies thepredetermined criterion.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to asystem that comprises: at least one personal protection equipmentarticle configured with a smart tag; at least one predeterminedcriterion that governs use of at least one personal protection equipmentarticle in a working environment; at least one sensing device configuredto sense data that is related to the at least one predeterminedcriterion; one or more data acquiring devices to acquire sensed datafrom at least one sensing device and smart tag data from the smart tag;and, a data processor for processing the acquired sensed data and thesmart tag data to determine whether the condition of the at least onePPE article satisfies the predetermined criterion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary PPE article conditiondetermining system capable of implementing the process of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is block diagram of a computer system utilizable in aninformation retrieval system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a smart tag coupled to a sensor.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a wearer passing an exemplary dataacquisition portal which may be used in some exemplary embodimentsutilized in the system of FIG. 1 and wearing a smart tagged RPE article.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a smart tagged RPE including a portablereader.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a process thatmay be performed according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure substantially reduces drawbacks and shortcomingsof known approaches for determining the conditions of personalprotection equipment PPE articles. The foregoing is achieved through amethod and system for determining a condition of at least one PPEarticle against at least one criterion. The method and system provide atleast one predetermined criterion that governs use of the PPE article ina working environment. The method and system also provide that the PPEarticle is configured with a smart tag, and a sensing device that isconfigured to sense data in a working environment related to thepredetermined criterion is also provided. Acquired data from the sensingdevice and the smart tag are processed to determine whether thecondition of the PPE article satisfies the predetermined criterion.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a personal protection equipment(PPE) article condition determining system 100, according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The PPE articlecondition determining system 100 includes an information retrievalsystem 102 networked to a computer system 150. The PPE article conditiondetermining system 100 is utilized for implementing a process fordetermining a condition of one or more articles of personal protectionequipment (PPE) 120 a-n (collectively, 120). The personal protectionequipment articles may be coupled to a component 110 a-n (collectively,110) for use in combination with the personal protection equipmentarticles. The PPE articles 120 are to be used in one or more workingenvironments 125 (only one is illustrated). Exemplary workingenvironments include, without limitation, paint shops, petrochemicalrefineries, mines, smelting facilities, pharmaceutical factories, or thelike. “Predetermined criterion or criteria” as the terms are utilized inthe present application refers to a set of rules, guidelines,regulations, recommendations, certifications, or the like that governsuse of the at least one PPE article in a working environment.

The rules, guidelines, regulations, recommendations, certifications, andthe like may be promulgated from any source, including business and/orgovernmental sources. Examples of the foregoing include, withoutlimitation, the OSHA respirator regulation that requires respirators beNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved,and must be used in compliance with the conditions of (NIOSH)certification. If other than approved types of respirators are used,that would be in violation of appropriate rules and regulations.

For example, government regulations, such as from OSHA, provide for nineclasses of filters (i.e., three levels of filter efficiency each withthree categories of resistance to filter efficiency degradation). Filterefficiency is the stated percentage of particles removed from the air.Filter efficiency degradation is defined as a lowering of filterefficiency degradation or a reduction in the ability of the filter toremove particles as a result of workplace exposure. Three levels offilter efficiency are 95%, 99%, and 99.97%. The three categories ofresistance to filter efficiency degradation are labeled N, R, and P. Theclass of filter will be clearly marked on the filter, filter package, orrespirator box. For example, a filter marked N95 would mean an N-seriesfilter that is at least 95% efficient. Chemical cartridges that includeparticulate filter elements will carry a similar marking that pertainsonly to the particulate filter element. New classes of non-poweredparticulate respirators require new decision logic for selection of theproper respirator. The selection process for using the new particulateclassification is outlined as follows: (1) The selection of N-, R-, andP-series filters depends on the presence or absence of oil particles, asfollows: If no oil particles are present in the work environment, use afilter of any series (i.e., N-, R-, or P-series),If oil particles (e.g.,lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerin, etc.) are present, use an R- orP-series filter. Note that N-series filters cannot be used if oilparticles are present. If oil particles are present and the filter is tobe used for more than one work shift, use only a P-series filter (e.g.guide: N for Not resistant to oil, R for Resistant to oil; P for oilProof); and (2) selection of filter efficiency (i.e., 95%, 99%, or99.97%) depends on how much filter leakage can be accepted. Higherfilter efficiency means lower filter leakage.

Other respirator rules or regulations may define that certain classes offiltering-facepieces be used with particular contaminant and/or forcertain exposure times based on contaminant concentration levels. So, ifsensed workplace conditions regarding particulates indicate contaminantconcentration values above or below acceptable limits, such could changethe exposure time accordingly. For some products, such as electricalproducts in the workplace, OSHA requires third-party approval, such asUnderwriter Laboratories. Still other OSHA PPE rules and regulationsrequire hard hats, safety glasses, and safety footwear meet specificcertification standards. Also, companies using PPE articles typicallyhave the responsibility for ensuring compliance with the appropriaterules, regulations, recommendations, and certifications. Facilities aresometimes allowed to determine their own predetermined criteria based onthe particulars of their work environment, PPE article, and thepertinent rules and regulations that govern the former. The presentdisclosure is not limited to OSHA rules and regulations, but any and allother appropriate rules, regulations, recommendations and guidelines.

In an illustrated exemplary embodiment, the PPE article 120 is anarticle of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) 120. The RPE article120 may be coupled to a component 110 used in conjunction with the PPEarticle. For example, the RPE article 120 may be a 7502 half facepiecerespirator that is commercially available from 3M Company of St. Paul,Minn. The component 110 may be a 6001 Series organic vapor cartridgethat is commercially available from 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn. Thepresent disclosure is not limited by the foregoing combination ofcomponents and PPE articles, but envisions all suitable combinations.Other known types of PPE articles suitable for use in embodiments of thepresent disclosure include, without limitation, respiratory protectionequipment (RPE) protective eyewear, such as visors, goggles, filters orshields, protective headwear, such as hard hats, hoods or helmets,hearing protection, protective shoes, protective gloves, otherprotective clothing, such as coveralls and aprons, protective articles,such as sensors, safety tools, detectors, global positioning devices,mining cap lamps and any other suitable gear.

In one exemplary embodiment, the information retrieval system 102includes one or more smart tags 130 a-n (collectively, 130); one or moredata acquiring devices 140 a-n (collectively, 140) that acquire datafrom the smart tags; and, one or more sensors 145 a-n (collectively,145) that, as will be described, sense for variables that are related tousage of the PPE article being tracked. Given the number of differentkinds of smart tags, data acquiring devices, and sensors that can beused, there exists a large number of combinations for the system 102that can be constructed depending on the PPE articles and theappropriate predetermined criterion. Accordingly, the exemplaryinformation retrieval system 102 is but one of many different andsuitable types.

The present disclosure contemplates use of any suitable smart tag knownin the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the smart tag 130 is directlyattached to the PPE article 120. Essentially, a smart tag is a datacarrier that carries data accessible by suitable methods, including, butnot limited to, electronic, optical, or other wireless technology. Dataon a smart tag may, typically, at least, include tag identificationinformation, such as an identification number (e.g., serial number). Inaddition, the smart tag 130 may contain other information relating tothe article of PPE 120, such as the type of article used; historicalinformation relating to the article, information about the user (whoused it, where it was used, under what condition it was used, etc.)maintenance or other type of processing, information about who wroteinformation onto the smart tag; any requirements relating to the articleand its associated component, and/or their use, whether any suchrequirements have been satisfied, such as any certifications obtained,and any other useful information, such as change-out history, or theworking environment. Also, information regarding the user of the articleof PPE may be on the smart tag 130; such as, medical information,information relating to fit-testing, training, job responsibilities,seniority or experience, access privileges or any other information.

Smart tags include passive and active types. Generally, passive tags donot include an internal power source and the data carried thereby may beencoded at manufacture. Data information may be acquired from a passivesmart tag, for example, radio frequency, microwave, infrared, or otherwireless modes; or by optical readers or other appropriate electronic oroptical technology. One type of passive smart tag is radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag, wherein a transponder carries read-only data.Another type of passive smart tags may be rewritable. RFID technology isknown and understood by those skilled in the art and, hence, only abrief description is included herein for facilitating understanding ofthe present disclosure. Passive RFID type smart tags are typicallyprovided in the form of small labels or the like that include a coiled,etched or stamped antenna, a capacitor, and a substrate on which thecomponents are mounted or embedded. For some metallic smart tags, themetallic portion itself may serve as the antenna. The RFID type smarttag may be embedded in or attached to the PPE articles 120 by anysuitable approach. For example, the smart tags may be joinable as bybeing adhered, fastened, sewn, friction fitted, mechanically clipped,welded (e.g., ultrasonically) or molded, etc. onto or into thecomponents, included as an integral component of the article or securelyattached by any suitable means.

Besides passive RFID smart tags, other passive smart tags may include,without limitation, optical kinds including barcode and opticalcharacter recognition systems; electromagnetic systems; andacoustomagnetic systems.

On the other hand, active smart tags tend to carry their own internalpower source as well as data, and an appropriate antenna for allowingexchanging of their data. The internal power supply may include amicro-battery, a thin film battery, or the like. Active smart tags maybe reprogrammable and include, besides an antenna, a microchip toreceive and store additional information beyond the informationcontained in its fixed code. Active smart tags may exchange their datainformation with data acquiring and/or transmitting devices, such asincluding, without limitation, readers and/or writers, scanners, and/ordata receivers, such as wireless receivers. The exchange may beinitiated by the active smart tag itself once it finds a suitable ordesignated, reader, scanner, or receiver. The active smart tags maytransmit their data in response to triggering or interrogating signals,they may actively transmit their data independent of such signals. Forinstance, the active smart tags may continuously or periodicallytransmit data to appropriate readers and/or writers, scanners, orreceivers. As noted, some active smart tags include the capability toreceive and store additional information beyond that contained by itsencoded data. Other kinds of active smart tags may be configured to berewritable. For instance, an active RFID smart tag may be rewritable, asby an RFID reader/writer.

Other kinds of active smart tags include a real time location system(RTLS) smart tag. An RTLS active smart tag is an active tag having atransmitter and a receiver and it communicates with a network accordingto a particular protocol. RTLS systems can work to determine theposition of the smart tag in a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional space. Forexample, a RTLS smart tag generally uses one or both of the followingwireless location-based methods for determining the position of a smarttag or the object the tag is attached to.

The first is a Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) method. In oneimplementation of this method, the smart tag will broadcast a signal tomultiple wireless receivers 140 at known locations. The time at whichthe signal is received by each receiver is measured, and a set ofequations can be used to determine the position of the smart tag.Examples of systems using this method are a global positioning system(GPS) or a system using low frequency radio transmitters that use thetime interval between radio signals (LORAN). Another example is anactive smart tag used in a WiFi system that determines how long a signaltakes to reach a receiver. Other companies that use this principle forRTLS systems are AeroScout Inc., Redwood City, Calif.; NanoTronTechnologies, GmbH, Berlin, Germany; WhereNet, Santa Clara, Calif.; and,MultiSpectral Solutions, Inc., Germantown, Md.

A RTLS may also use a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) method.This latter method requires tags or fixed transceivers to measure thereceived power (signal strength) of the incoming signals. Then, usingeither known variations of signal strength vs. distance fromtransmitters, or by measuring the signal strengths at various locationsand matching these measured strengths to the measured strengths,position can be determined. Companies that provide commerciallyavailable products using the RTLS system include Wavetrend, Fairfax Va.,and PanGo Networks, Framingham, Mass.

One example of an active smart tag suitable for use in an RTLS system isan Ekahau™ smart tag, which communicates with wireless receivers in awireless local area network (WLAN) through IEEE 802.11b and 802.11gstandards. The Ekahau™ smart tag is commercially available from Ekahau,Inc., Reston Va. and may be used in the present exemplary embodiment.Other examples of suitable smart tags may be provided, and includethose, such as described, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,853,303, which isincorporated herein.

As noted, the data from the smart tag may be acquired by data acquiringdevices 140, such as readers 140, readers/writers 140, scanners 140, orreceivers, such as wireless receivers 140, as well as other suitabledevices. A reader or scanner may include an antenna for transmitting atrigger signal to a smart tag and receiving a return signal from the tagcontaining information. The data acquiring devices 140 may be placed inany one or more of the critical spots of the process including but notlimited to the area where the PPE articles 120 are handed out to theindividual. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more data acquiringdevices 140, such as readers or scanners 140 are hand-held. For example,a receiver 140 may be a wireless node of a wireless local area network(WLAN) that may provide an interne access point.

The readers 140 may be linked to a remote programmable electronic system150 through the network 160. The programmable electronic system 150includes functionalities that enable tracking usage of the PPE articlesagainst at least a predetermined criterion. These may include, but arenot limited, to certifications regarding servicing, repairing, cleaning,maintaining, decontaminating, or other processing the PPE articles. Forexample, if the cumulative exposure time of the RPE article, in theworkplace exceeds a certification value(s); the concentration level(s)of particular contaminants exceed certification value(s); the presenceof unexpected contaminants in the working environment; persons withparticular profiles should not be exposed to various contaminants;particular kinds of PPE articles should or should not be used whencertain contaminants are present.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the reader 140 a may be stationed at theentrance of the work environment 125 and acquires relevant data of thewearer; component 110, and the PPE article 120, such as one or both of:at the start of the workday or shift and at the end of the work day orshift. The readers may be in a variety of one or more other locations,such as where the components are removably coupled to the PPE article.This information is sent to a database of the computer system 150 forthe purposes which will be described. Alternatively or additionally, oneor more readers 140 may be located within the actual work environment125 so as to provide opportunities for wearers obtaining readings in thework environment 125. Alternatively or additionally, a portable reader140 may be utilized (see FIG. 5), such as where the PPE articles 120 areissued prior to entering the work environment. A typical portable reader140 may have a display 132 and keypad 134 for data input and arewirelessly connected to the network 160. The portable reader 140 may beused when the tagged PPE articles are in the work environment 125 or atthe end of a work shift. The present disclosure does not placelimitations on the locations or timing of reading of the tagged PPEarticles.

Exemplary suitable sensors 145 of some exemplary embodiment may include,without limitation, measurement of the following analytes/parameters:electromagnetic radiation (such as thermal and visible), ionizingradiation, nuclear radiation, chemicals (such as liquids, solids,vapors, gases and mists/aerosols), biological analytes, particulates,noise, heat stress, motion, as well as others. The transducers may be ofthe electrical or optoelectronic type. The sensors 145 may be mobile orstationary in the work environment and connected, as for example, bywireless to the network. In the mobile mode, the sensors 145 may bedisposed on the PPE or on the component. The sensed information data isgenerally related to the usage of the PPE article being tracked as willbe explained. The data, as noted, includes, without limitation,concentration levels, types of contaminants, presence or absence ofcontaminants, insufficient or no current to run a circuit of the PPEarticle, inadequate pressure for a self-contained breathing apparatus(SCBA), insufficient or no battery power, breakthrough of a chemicalthrough a filter, or inoperable safety mechanisms. The presentdisclosure is not limited by these examples since what is sensedencompasses any known factors that may relate in any way to thecondition or use of the PPE articles.

Reference is made to FIG. 3 for illustrating a combination sensing andsmart device 300 that may be attached directly to an article of PPE (notshown). The sensing and smart device 300 includes a combination ofphoto-ionization detector (PID) sensing device 304, and the Ekahau™smart tag 302. The functionalities of the sensing device and the smarttag remain the same despite being physically coupled together. Thecombination sensing device 300 may also provide location informationthat may be mapped to identify a location(s) in which the concentrationlevels may change (e.g., spike).

The network 160 may include, without limitation, a local-area network(LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, or a wireless network,such as a wireless local area network (WLAN). The programmableelectronic system 150 may represent any type of computer system,programmable logic devices, or the like. The computer system 150 mayinclude server computers, client computers, PC-based servers,minicomputers, midrange computers, mainframe computers; or othersuitable devices. In some exemplary embodiments, the computer system 150may include portable computer systems including laptops, handheldcomputer systems. In addition, the system 100 may include one or morelocal computer systems 170 located in the work environment 125. As such,workers may be able to obtain pertinent data, for example, a real-timeassessment of the condition of the PPE article while in the workenvironment 125. The local computer system 170 typically includesportable computer systems including laptops, handheld computer systems.The local computer system 170 may also include other computer systems,such as, client computers, PC-based servers, minicomputers, midrangecomputers, mainframe computers; or other suitable devices.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, there is depicted a server computersystem 150. It is depicted as comprising at least one systeminterconnect bus 180 to which various components are coupled andcommunicate with each other. Coupled to the system interconnect bus 180is at least a single processor unit 182, storage device 184, memory suchas random access memory (RAM) 186, read only memory (ROM) 188, arelational database management system (DBMS) 189, and input/output (I/O)ports 191. The relational database is a computer database managementsystem 189 controlling the storing, updating, and retrieving of data todatabase files for use in tracking usage of PPE articles against the oneor more predetermined criteria under the control of the applications tobe described hereinafter. The database files contain all relevantinformation pertaining to the operational parameters of the readers.Furthermore, one or more output devices 192 such as a display, as wellas one or more user interface input devices 194, such as a keyboardand/or pointing device is respectively coupled to the I/O ports 191. Inknown fashion, the output and input devices 192 and 194; respectivelypermit wearer interaction with the computer system 150. The I/O port 191typically includes various controllers (not shown) for each input device194, such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick, and the like, as well as theoutput device 192, such as an Ethernet network adapter, infrared deviceand display (not shown). The processor 182 controls the input device 194which provides a user interface for allowing a wearer to accessinformation, such as usage history of PPE articles being tracked.

The processor unit 182 may be any suitable processor and sends andreceives instructions and data to and from each of the computer system'scomponents that are coupled to the system interconnect bus 180 toperform system operations based upon the requirements of the computersystem's operating system (OS) 196, and other specialized applicationprograms 198 a-198 n (collectively 198).

The ROM 188 typically controls basic hardware operations. The storagedevice 184 may be a permanent storage medium, such as a hard disk,CD-ROM, tape, or the like, which stores the operating system 196 and thespecialized applications programs 198. The RAM 186 is volatile memory.The contents of the RAM 186 may be retrieved from the storage device 184as required. Illustratively, the RAM 186 is shown with the operatingsystem 196 and application programs 198 concurrently stored therein. Theprogram code of the operating system 196 and/or application programs 198is sent to the RAM 186 for temporary storage and subsequent execution bythe processor 182. Additionally, the RAM 186 is capable of storing filesfrom the operating system 196, as well as files from one or moreapplication programs.

An information retrieval system application program(s) 198 a is onetypically utilized for controlling operations of the informationretrieval system 102 including the functionalities described herein withrespect to the smart tags 130, data acquiring devices 140, and sensors145. Provision is made for a suitable database management systemapplication 198 b to run the database 189 in a manner consistent withthe present disclosure. Also, provision is made for an establishpredetermined criteria application 198 c. This may, in some cases, be asoftware application provided by a manufacturer of the PPE article thatare to be tracked. In some exemplary embodiments, this softwareapplication may be used to establish conditions for proper usage of thePPE article as determined by the rules and regulations established bythe government, insurance company or other entity interested in theresults. The establish condition determining application 198 c isupdatable to establish a new or current criteria related to actualconditions of the PPE article in the working environment, as forexample, by using the data acquired.

A report generating application 198 d is provided that may generatereports containing a variety of data in different reporting formatstailored for purposes including those described below. These reports maybe generated to allow workers, supervisors, health professionals toaccess the history and status of articles; their medical information,information relating to fit-testing, training, job responsibilities,seniority or experience, access privileges or any other information,history of PPE article servicing, maintenance, change-out, as well asother information.

The determining PPE condition application 198 n of the presentdisclosure enables determining the conditions of the tagged PPE articles120 following retrieval of smart tag information and sensed datainformation against at least one predetermined criterion established bythe establish predetermined criteria application 198 c.

Reference is made to FIG. 6 for illustrating one exemplary embodiment ofa PPE article condition determining process 600 that may be implementedby the PPE article condition determining system 100. The PPE articlecondition determining process 600 enables determining the condition ofthe PPE articles 120 tagged with a smart tag 130 after processing datareceived by the smart tag and/or one of the sensors. The term“condition” as utilized in the present application means the particularstate of one or more factors that affect the operational life orusefulness of one or more PPE articles. In this exemplary embodiment,the condition being determined is if the RPE 120 should be servicedafter exposure to contaminants for a certain exposure over time.

In a Sense Initial Condition block 610 of the PPE article conditiondetermining process 600, sensing is performed by one or more of thesensors 145. In this embodiment, the type of PPE articles 120 beingtracked determines which variables in the working environment should besensed and, therefore, which sensors to be used. Since conditions ofrespirators are being determined in this exemplary embodiment, thesensor 145 is of the type that collects data bearing upon the PPEarticle's condition relative to its servicing. In particular,concentration levels of a particular hazardous material over a period oftime may be sensed as by the PID sensor 145. As will be explained, theconcentration levels may assist in establishing a predeterminedcriterion regarding the servicing condition of the tagged PPE article.The initial sensed data from the sensor 145 that is collected mayreflect low, average, and peak concentration levels of the particularhazardous material(s). Other sensors may detect for the presence ofother contaminants that, for example, may be incompatible with therespirator being used. While hazardous materials are being monitored inthe exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure envisions that thereare no limits on the variables that may be sensed and the relationshipthese variables have in determining the condition of the PPE article.For example, variable factors relating to other aspects of usage of theRPE article may include: charge of a battery, amps in a circuit, andcirculating air pressure of their respirator. The condition determiningprocess allows this data to be forwarded to the database.

The PPE article condition determining process 600 then proceeds toRetrieve Criteria block 620, whereat the establish a predeterminedcriteria application 198 c retrieves at least one appropriatepredetermined criterion (or criteria) for the PPE article whosecondition is being determined. If the PPE article being monitored is arespirator, the pertinent criterion that is relevant to its condition(e.g., servicing) may be selected. The set of criteria is stored inmemory. The set of criteria may be obtained from many different sourcesthat provide guidance on the proper servicing of the PPE article asnoted above. The set of criteria may be downloaded, for example, fromthe internet. Typically, the manufacturer of the PPE article may providethe set of criteria that is relevant to the condition of the PPEarticle. The set of criteria may be developed by government, industry,the company operating the system 100, an insurance company, standards'bodies, and persons of interest, such as a safety officer, industrialhygienist, or the like. In the present exemplary embodiment, the set ofcriteria may relate to minimum or maximum exposure times that arespirator may safely operate before being serviced. Another example ofa set of criteria relates to proper battery charge of an PPE articlerelative to acceptable limits of performance of the PPE article. Stillanother example of a set of criteria that governs use of when arespirator should be serviced, repaired, or otherwise treated, is basedon inadequate pressure existing, such as in a self-contained breathingapparatus (SCBA).

Following the Retrieve Criteria block 620, the condition determining 600proceeds to an Establish Predetermined Criteria block 630. In the block630, the initial data that may be sensed in the block 610 is processedin the database by the establish predetermined criterion application 198c. As a result, there is established a predetermined criterion for thePPE article 120 in the actual working environment. In such an exemplaryembodiment, the predetermined criteria application(s) 198 c analyzes thecollected monitored data in terms of the set of criteria retrieved inthe block 620 to determine the predetermined criterion that willdetermine if the condition of the PPE article, during its actual use inthe working environment, is satisfied. For example, based on the initialconcentration levels in the work environment, a maximum exposure timefor the respirator is then determined before it should be serviced. Thepredetermined criterion takes into account the exposure time recommendedor required for the respirator in the work environment.

The condition determining process 600 may further include a Reportingblock 640 that follows the Establish Predetermined Criteria block 630under the control of the reporting application 198 b. The Reportingblock 640 is capable for generating a report relevant to a wide varietyof subjects including, but not limited to, the condition of the PPEarticle, the worker, or even its associated one or more components, theinitial sensed data, the work environment, and other pertinentinformation. Typically, the Reporting block 640 generates a report in aformat acceptable by an entity requesting the report, for example, thebusiness entity using the system 100, or a governmental agency, such asOSHA. While the Report block 640 follows Establish PredeterminedCriteria block 630, reports may be generated at any one or more pointsin the process. The reports may be generated by the workers or otherpersons of interest or even in response to requests by the government.The reports generated may be transmitted across the internet as well.There is no time limit to generating the reports.

The PPE article condition determining process 600 proceeds to a RetrieveTag Information block 650. In this embodiment, the system 102 retrievesor acquires the data, as noted above, from the smart tags 130 by thedata acquiring devices 140, such as a receiver 140, as well as thesensors 145. The smart tag 130 of this embodiment may be an Ekahau™ type130 to provide location information as well as the data of the smarttag. Other smart tags can be provided. The receiver 140 may be locatedin any number of places, such as the entrance to a work environment 125.In particular, retrieving information from the smart tag 130 may providedata as to when and where the wearer enters the working environment,exits the working environment, or passes another location. Optionally,in order to identify the wearer, the latter may present his/her badge toan appropriate data acquiring device 140. The smart tag 130 or the badgemay also include other data regarding the wearer, such as medical, fittest, job description, seniority, training, and other qualifications.The retrieved data is forwarded to the database 189 of the computersystem 150, and, if operational, the local computer system 170. The datamay include the identification of an article, date, and/or timestamp, aswell as the location of the data acquiring device. The presentdisclosure envisions that the retrieving tag information may occur morethan once and at any suitable number of points in the determiningprocess.

The PPE article condition determining process 600 then proceeds to theSense In Work Environment block 660. In the Sense In Work Environmentblock 660, the sensor 145, such as the PID sensor 145, is operable forproviding current sensed data regarding, for example, currentconcentration levels of benzene vapor in the work environment 125. Thisdata is forwarded to the database. The PPE article condition determiningprocess 600 may proceed to the Update Criterion block 670. In the UpdateCriterion block 670, the data from the database from the sensor 145 isacted upon by the establish predetermined criteria application 198 c,where a new analysis is conducted to determine whether an updatepredetermined criterion is to be used. Such updating enhances theoverall advantages provided by the present disclosure. While the SenseIn Work Environment block 660 and the Update Criterion block 670 areillustrated, they need not be present in the PPE article conditiondetermining process 600. In such a case, the process 600 may proceed tothe Determine Condition of PPE Article block 680.

In either event, the PPE article condition determining process 600 thenmay proceed to the Determine Condition of PPE Article block 680. In theDetermine Condition of PPE Article block 680, the condition determiningapplication 198 n determines if the condition of the PPE articlesatisfies the initial or updated criterion. In particular, in anexemplary embodiment, the exemplary determination is made as to whethera respirator has an exposure time that exceeds the recommended exposuretime of the article in the working environment as determined in theEstablish Predetermined Criterion block 630. If the actual exposure timedoes exceed the recommended exposure time then the respirator hassatisfied the predetermined criterion, that the article should beserviced. In the Determine Condition of PPE Article block 680, thearticle has satisfied the predetermined criterion servicing (i.e., Yes)since its actual exposure time does exceed the recommended exposuretime, when compared to the recommended exposure time, indicated in theEstablish Predetermined Criteria block 630 or the Updated Criterionblock 670. Conversely, the servicing condition is not satisfied (i.e.,No) if the actual exposure time does not exceed recommended exposuretime as determined in the Establish Predetermined Criteria block 630 orthe Updated Criterion block 670.

The PPE article condition determining process 600 includes a Communicateblock 685, whereat compliance or non-compliance is communicated, usingany known communication methodology, to appropriate persons, orreporting entities. Such a communication may be transmitted to the user,the database, the user's supervisor, industrial hygienist or otherappropriate personnel. The process of this block may be occurring atother times. In one exemplary embodiment, such communications may bemade as a message to display screen of the computer or to a personaldigital assistant (PDA). It will be appreciated other suitable softwareapplications may be used to provide such communication. In one exemplaryembodiment, such determinations may be made as a message to displayscreen of the computer or to a personal digital assistant (PDA). It willbe appreciated other suitable software applications may be used toprovide such communication. In some exemplary embodiments, suchcommunications may include an alarm or audible signal to appropriatepersons including the user and/or supervisor.

The PPE article condition determining process 600 also includes aProcess Article block 690 that may follow the Communicate block 685. Awide variety of processes may be performed to handle the article, suchas cleaning, refurbishing, disposal or the like. A wide variety ofdisposal methods are contemplated, for example, being displaced in abin, this will ensure that the PPE article will not be used until someother steps are undertaken.

The PPE Article Condition Determining process 600 may then proceed toVerify Processing block 695. In the Verify Processing block 695, a dataacquiring device 140 may be stationed adjacent to the processing area,such as a disposal bin, for acquiring relevant identification data fromits smart tag 136 that the PPE article 120 has been processed. Theverification data is transferred to the server's database for storage inthe internal memory and subsequent use. As a consequence, processing isduly recorded in the database.

EXAMPLES

The following are prophetic examples using the improved process andsystem of the present disclosure.

Example 1

A photoionization detector (PID) sensor 145, for example, an EntryRAEPID from RAE Systems, San Jose, Calif., may be used to monitor levels ofvolatile organic compounds at a fiberglass coating facility. Based oncompositional knowledge of the fiberglass composite material being usedonsite, it is known that styrene is a primary hazardous vapor presentwithin the facility. Initial data may be taken from a log (20 minute) ofstyrene concentrations obtained with the PID prior to actual use of therespirator. In the working environment, spikes in concentration levelsmay occur, such as spikes above 200 ppm, at different time intervals,(e.g., 9 minute and 13 minute). A NIOSH-defined occupational exposurelimit (OEL) (predetermined criteria) for styrene is 20 ppm. At 200 ppmand above (i.e., 10× the OEL) the styrene concentration is above theprotection factor for a half-face piece air purifying respirator. Thedata from the PID may be sent to the database 189 of the computer system150. These readings are processed by the condition determining mechanismfor determining if the above condition satisfies the predeterminedcriteria to determine the condition of the PPE article in terms of itsservicing or replacement.

Example 2

Initial real time styrene concentration data, are collected using awireless PID worn on a worker, such as obtained by the PID sensor 145.This data is documented within the database. Based on the cumulativeconcentration data gathered over a multi-day period, it is determinedthat the respirator used by the worker should be disposed of after 24hr. of use. Such a determination was based on NIOSH regulationsgoverning use of the respirator in a workplace having the collectedexpected styrene concentrations that are assumed to exist, when therespirator is actually used. Both the worker and the safety person maybe notified of the appropriate servicing or change-out schedule. Actualuse of the respirator is monitored by the smart tag 130 and the sensor145. By continuing to monitor exposure data over time, the conditiondetermining process can determine whether the respirator is complyingwith the NIOSH regulations. Accordingly, the worker and the safetyperson may take appropriate measures based on the determination. Forexample, changes in workflow or in engineering controls could make amore stringent or if necessary change the schedules of use.

Example 3

Real-time styrene concentration data are collected using a wireless PIDon worker within a fiberglass coating facility, with the data documentedwithin a central database. In this example, the PID 145 is also coupledwith an Ekahau™ RTLS smart tag 130, which provides location informationof the wearer within the working environment using a wireless network.The concentration and location data are sent to a central database wherethey are linked via their time stamp data. By monitoring the data andlocations over a period of weeks, a determination may be made that aworker is exposed to the highest periodic concentration of styrenewithin a particular coating bay within the working environment. Withsuch information, efforts may be undertaken by appropriate personnel tocorrect the matter, such as providing additional ventilation at thevicinity of the bay. Additionally, the appropriate personnel are able tomake sure that the appropriate PPE with sufficient protection factor isworn only within specific areas of the working environment.

Example 4

The sensors of Examples 1, 2, or 3 are utilized via incorporation on orinside the personal protection equipment of a worker to monitor theactual internal environment surrounding the worker. This data is sentwirelessly to the central database to produce reports (e.g., graphics ortables) indicating the cumulative exposure and protection provided forthe worker during certain time periods.

It will be appreciated that numerous and varied other arrangements maybe readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas claimed.

It will be appreciated that based on the above description, aspects ofthe disclosure include methods and systems for determining conditions ofarticles, such as PPE articles, by determining if they satisfy at leastone criterion. Further aspects of the disclosure include methods andsystems for determining conditions of articles, as noted above, byupdating such predetermined criteria to reflect existing conditions inthe working environments. Further aspects of the disclosure includemethods and systems utilized for ensuring worker safety, and preventingneedless discarding of articles by keeping the predetermined criteriacontemporaneously valid. Still further aspects of the disclosure includemethods and systems utilized for achieving the foregoing economicallyand expeditiously. Still further aspects of the disclosure includemethods and systems utilized for locating working environments in whichmonitored concentration levels reach hazardous or potentially hazardouslevels.

Although the methods and systems of the present disclosure have beendescribed with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, those ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that changes andmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure.

1. (canceled)
 2. A system comprising: a personal protection article configured with a smart tag; a computing device comprising one or more computer processors, and a memory comprising instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to: configure at least one predetermined criterion that corresponds to the personal protection article in a working environment, wherein the working environment is external to the personal protection article; receive sensed data, generated by at least one sensing device that is related to a hazard level for a hazard the working environment, a hazard type for the hazard in the working environment, a presence of the hazard in the working environment, or an absence of the hazard in the working environment; receive smart tag data using the smart tag associated with the personal protection article, the smart tag data including an identification of the personal protection article and at least one of timestamp or location information related to operation of the personal protection article with respect to the working environment; store the sensed data sensed by the at least one sensing device and the smart tag data that is from the smart tag; process the sensed data and at least part of the smart tag data to determine a condition that corresponds to operation of the personal protection article in the working environment; and perform, based at least in part on the at least one predetermined criterion pertaining to the personal protection article, at least one operation in response to the determination of the condition that corresponds to the operation of the personal protection article in the working environment.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the respective smart tag is physically attached to the particular personal protection device.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein to perform the at least one operation the memory comprises instructions that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to generate at least one report relating to the condition of the particular personal protection device.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein to perform the at least one operation the memory comprises instructions that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to generate at least one report relating to at least one of the sensed data or the smart tag data.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein to determine a condition of the personal protection device the memory comprises instructions that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to determine the particular condition based on a condition determining mechanism in a data processing system.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein to perform the at least one operation the memory comprises instructions that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to communicate information that is based at least in part on a determination whether a real-time assessment of the condition of the particular personal protection article satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion pertaining to the personal protection article.
 8. The system of claim 2, wherein to perform the at least one operation the memory comprises instructions that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to generate at least one output.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one output is a visual or audible output.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the condition comprises at least one of a concentration level, a type of contaminant, a presence or absence of contaminant, inadequate pressure for a breathing apparatus, battery power, breakthrough of a contaminant through a filter, a reading from the personal protection article, or an inoperable safety mechanism.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the condition comprises a first concentration level of a contaminant detected in a work environment, the at least one predetermined criterion comprises a second concentration level, and the first concentration level is greater than the second concentration level.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the condition comprises a first type of contaminant detected in a work environment, the at least one predetermined criterion comprises a second type of contaminant, and the first type of contaminant is the same as the second type of contaminant.
 13. The system of claim 2, wherein to perform the at least one operation, the memory comprises instructions that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to the send at least one of the sensed data or the smart tag data to another computing device.
 14. The system of claim 2, wherein the smart-tag comprises at least one of a WiFi device or and RFID device.
 15. The system of claim 2, wherein to perform the at least one operation the memory comprises instructions that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to output a location that corresponds to a concentration level that satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion.
 16. The system of claim 2, wherein the personal protection article comprises at least one of respiratory protection equipment, protective eyewear, protective headwear, hearing protection, protective shoes, protective gloves, protective clothing, a tool, a detector of an air contaminant, a global positioning device, or a mining cap lamp.
 17. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensed data is based at least in part on at least one of electromagnetic radiation, ionizing radiation, nuclear radiation, a chemical, a biological analyte, a particulate, noise, heat stress, motion, or usage or operation of the personal protection article.
 18. The system of claim 2, wherein the predetermined criterion is an exposure limit, wherein the condition is an exposure to a hazard, wherein to perform the at least one operation the memory comprises instructions that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to generate a visual or audible output in response to the exposure to the hazard satisfying the exposure limit.
 19. The system of claim 2, wherein the computing device comprises a display and the computing device is configured to communicate using the Internet.
 20. The system of claim 2, where the computing device is included in the personal protection article.
 21. The system of claim 2, wherein the smart tag is configured to communicate using a Wi-Fi network protocol.
 22. The system of claim 2, wherein the smart tag data corresponds to a user of the personal
 23. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensing device is included in the personal protection article.
 24. A personal protection article comprising: at least one microchip; an antenna; a sensing device configured to sense data that is based on a working environment; a power supply; a housing comprising the at least one microchip, the sensing device, and the power supply; wherein the at least one microchip is configured to: send, via wireless communication to a computing device, smart tag data that includes an identification of the particular personal protection article and at least one of timestamp or location information related to operation of the particular personal protection article with respect to the working environment; send, via wireless communication to the computing device, sensed data from the sensing device that causes the computing device to (i) process the sensed data and at least part of the smart tag data to determine a condition that corresponds to operation of the personal protection article in the working environment and (ii) perform, based at least in part on at least one predetermined criterion pertaining to the personal protection article, at least one operation in response to the determination of the condition that corresponds to the operation of the personal protection article in the working environment, wherein the sensed data is related to a hazard level for a hazard the working environment, a hazard type for the hazard in the working environment, a presence of the hazard in the working environment, or an absence of the hazard in the working environment, wherein the at least one predetermined criterion configured at the computing device corresponds to the personal protection article in the working environment, wherein the working environment is external to the personal protection article; and store at least part of the smart tag data and the send data.
 25. The personal protection article of claim 24, wherein in response to sending at least one of the sensed data or the smart tag data to the computing device, the at least one microchip is configured to receive data that is processable by the personal protection article.
 26. A computing device comprising one or more computer processors that are configured to: configure at least one predetermined criterion that corresponds to a personal protection article in a working environment, wherein the working environment is external to the personal protection article; receive sensed data, generated by at least one sensing device that is related to a hazard level for a hazard the working environment, a hazard type for the hazard in the working environment, a presence of the hazard in the working environment, or an absence of the hazard in the working environment; receive smart tag data using the smart tag associated with the personal protection article, the smart tag data including an identification of the personal protection article and at least one of timestamp or location information related to operation of the personal protection article with respect to the working environment; store the sensed data sensed by the at least one sensing device and the smart tag data that is from the smart tag; process the sensed data and at least part of the smart tag data to determine a condition that corresponds to operation of the personal protection article in the working environment; and perform, based at least in part on the at least one predetermined criterion pertaining to the personal protection article, at least one operation in response to the determination of the condition that corresponds to the operation of the personal protection article in the working environment.
 27. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed in a computer processor, causes the computer process to: configure at least one predetermined criterion that corresponds to a personal protection article in a working environment, wherein the working environment is external to the personal protection article; receive sensed data, generated by at least one sensing device that is related to a hazard level for a hazard the working environment, a hazard type for the hazard in the working environment, a presence of the hazard in the working environment, or an absence of the hazard in the working environment; receive smart tag data using the smart tag associated with the personal protection article, the smart tag data including an identification of the personal protection article and at least one of timestamp or location information related to operation of the personal protection article with respect to the working environment; store the sensed data sensed by the at least one sensing device and the smart tag data that is from the smart tag; process the sensed data and at least part of the smart tag data to determine a condition that corresponds to operation of the personal protection article in the working environment; and perform, based at least in part on the at least one predetermined criterion pertaining to the personal protection article, at least one operation in response to the determination of the condition that corresponds to the operation of the personal protection article in the working environment. 